Summary of Run Timing and Abundance of Adult Pacific Salmon

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Patterns of Different Spawning Aggregates of Dolly Varden in the Kenai River Watershed

Douglas E. Palmer and Bruce E. King

Abstract Radiotelemetry was used to monitor the seasonal movements of adult Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma in the Kenai River watershed. Dolly Varden from spawning aggregates in Cooper Creek (N=20), Quartz Creek (N=60), South Fork of the Snow River (N=60) and the upper Kenai River (N=79) were implanted with radio transmitters and tracked for varying periods from September 1998 through December 2001. Nearly half (N=109) of the radio-tagged Dolly Varden provided movement information for one year or longer. All radio-tagged Dolly Varden migrated seasonally between lake and riverine habitats to fulfill critical habitat needs. Lacustrine habitats were selected for winter refuge with Kenai and Skilak lakes providing the majority of overwinter habitat. Movement to overwintering lakes began in October and was complete by December. Movement from overwintering lakes to summer feeding areas began in May. Patterns of movement during the summer months were different for each spawning aggregate, but were generally associated with the timing and location of smolting or spawning salmon. Most radio-tagged fish were found in riverine habitats from June through September except for fish from the Snow River spawning aggregate which remained in Kenai Lake through mid-summer. The Killey River was an important early summer feeding area for many fish, but by August most fish were found in the Kenai River above and below Skilak Lake. Fish were located at spawning areas from late September through October. Although a few fish spawned during consecutive years, it appears that most Dolly Varden from these spawning aggregates will skip a year or two between spawning.

Introduction The Kenai River provides a variety of recreational fishing opportunities and receives more angler effort than any other river in Alaska (Howe et al. 2001d). Although most anglers participate in popular sport fisheries targeting Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, sockeye salmon O. nerka, coho salmon O. kisutch, and rainbow trout O. mykiss, the Kenai River also supports a major fishery for Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma. Catches of Dolly Varden in the Kenai River have ranged from 34,577 to 107,785 fish annually since 1990 (Appendix 1; Mills 1991–1994; Howe et al. 1995, 1996, 2001a–d, Walker et al. 2003, Jennings et al. 2004). Dolly Varden are caught throughout the Kenai River, however, anglers targeting this species generally concentrate their efforts above Skilak Lake and in the middle Kenai River above the Moose River. Catches of Dolly Varden in these sections have comprised about 74% of the total catch in the Kenai River since 1990.

Angler effort directed at Dolly Varden in the upper and middle Kenai River has increased substantially in recent years. An increase in angler effort, coupled with a perception by the

Authors: Douglas E. Palmer is a senior fishery biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He is the corresponding author and can be contacted at the Kenai Fish and Wildlife Field Office, P.O. Box 1670, Kenai, Alaska; or [email protected]. Bruce E. King is currently retired but was formerly a fisheries research biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Soldotna, Alaska. Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

public that harvest was increasing and that numbers of Dolly Varden were declining, generated concern about negative impacts to the population. Because no data were available regarding stock status, the Alaska Board of Fisheries responded to this concern beginning in 1990 with a series of more restrictive regulations for Dolly Varden in the Kenai River watershed (Gamblin et al. 2004). Regulation changes included a reduction in bag/possession limit, size restrictions, and spawning season closures in three tributary streams.

Concern over potential negative impacts to Dolly Varden populations in the Kenai River and the lack of base population data prompted the development of a cooperative study between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The primary focus of the study was to use radiotelemetry to describe the extent and patterns of movement of Dolly Varden in the Kenai River watershed. Preliminary investigations in 1996 and 1997 focused on identification of spawning aggregates of Dolly Varden in the upper Kenai River watershed. Spawning aggregates were identified in Cooper Creek, Quartz Creek, South Fork of the Snow River, and the upper mainstem Kenai River. This report describes the seasonal distribution and migratory patterns of Dolly Varden from these spawning aggregates. Radio transmitters used during the study provided up to two years of location data that also allowed us to examine frequency of spawning and fidelity to overwintering habitats.

Study Area The Kenai River drainage encompasses approximately 5,500 km2 on the Kenai Peninsula in South-central Alaska (Figure 1). The Kenai River is glacially fed and originates at the outlet of Kenai Lake. The upper reach of the Kenai River is about 27 km long and extends from Kenai Lake to the inlet of Skilak Lake. The river traverses Skilak Lake for about 24 km, and then flows another 17 km to Naptowne Rapids. Below Naptowne Rapids, the river flows another 63 km to Cook Inlet.

Discharge in the Kenai River depends on the outflow of Kenai and Skilak lakes and lacks the flow extremes characteristic of streams without headwater lakes. The mean annual discharge in the Kenai River at Soldotna is approximately 167 m3/s with summer flows ranging from 142 to 850 m3/s (Bigelow et al. 1985). Glacial melt produces turbid conditions throughout the year, but water clarity improves during winter months when flows range from 23 to 142 m3/s.

Major tributaries that enter the Kenai River above Naptowne Rapids include the Killey River which empties into the Kenai River at river kilometer (rkm) 70.8, Skilak River which contributes melt water from Skilak Glacier at the east end of Skilak Lake, Russian River (rkm 118.7), Cooper Creek (rkm 127.4), and Juneau Creek (rkm.127.8). Major tributaries to Kenai Lake include Quartz Creek, Trail River, Ptarmigan Creek, and the Snow River.

Methods Dolly Varden in spawning condition were surgically implanted with radio transmitters during 1998 and 1999 (Appendix 2). During 1998, transmitters were implanted in Dolly Varden that were spawning in Cooper and Quartz creeks and the South Fork of the Snow River. Radio- tagging efforts during 1999 focused on Dolly Varden spawning in the upper Kenai River above Jim’s Landing. The majority of fish were captured with hook-and-line, however drift gill nets (7.6 mm stretch mesh) were also fished in the upper Kenai River to capture fish for radio transmitter implants.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Summit Juneau Creek Beaver Devils Creek Quartz Creek Creek Creek Upper Moose Kenai River River Tern Kenai Lake Bing’s Jim’s Landing Daves Creek Cook Landing Soldotna Trail Inlet River Naptowne Ptarmigan Creek Rapids Kenai Lake Skilak Lake Russian 3 River Skilak Snow River River Cooper Funny Creek River Killey River

N South Fork Snow River Benjamin Creek 10 0 10 20 Kilometers

FIGURE 1.─Map of the Kenai River watershed. Shaded areas indicate locations where Dolly Varden were captured and implanted with radio transmitters during 1998 and 1999.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Implanting Transmitters Dolly Varden were anesthetized with a 30-mg/L solution of clove oil. Unconscious fish were placed ventral side up in a neoprene-lined cradle, and their gills were irrigated with a combination of anesthesia and oxygenated water during the procedure. A 2–3-cm incision large enough to accommodate the transmitter was made anterior to the pelvic girdle approximately 1 cm from the midventral axis. The transmitter antenna was routed under the pelvic girdle and through the body wall slightly off the midventral axis and anterior to the vent using a hypodermic needle and grooved director. Oxytetracycline was administered intraperitoneally at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight to help prevent infection. The incision was closed with three or four individual stitches of absorbable suture and Vetbond® adhesive. Surgical instruments and transmitters were soaked in a cold sterilant and rinsed in saline solution before use. Each surgery averaged 6 min, and fish were swimming upright and respiring normally within 3–5 min of being returned to a freshwater holding tank. Fish were released near the capture site once they gained equilibrium and were actively swimming. Surgical implant procedures were similar to those described by Summerfelt and Smith (1990).

Radio transmitters (Lotek® model CFRT–3EM) were 48 mm in length and 10 mm in diameter and equipped with a 30-cm plastic coated wire antenna. Each transmitter weighed 8.1 g in air and never exceeded 2% of fish weight (Winter 1983). All transmitters had a 5 second burst rate for 8 hours each day. This duty cycle provided an estimated transmitter life of 635 days. Each transmitter emitted a unique digital signal on one of ten frequencies between 149 and 151 MHZ.

Radio-Tracking Procedures Movements of radio-tagged Dolly Varden were documented using a combination of aerial and ground-based surveys. Receivers used for tracking were the SRX 400 receiver/datalogger (Lotek Engineering Incorporated®). A portable global positioning system (GPS) was used to determine the latitude and longitude of each located fish.

Ground-based tracking was conducted from boats, highway vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), and on foot. Boat tracking surveys were conducted on the Kenai River and Kenai and Skilak lakes during ice-free periods. A four-element Yagi antenna attached to a 2.4-m mast was used to locate radio-tagged Dolly Varden. A hand-held H-antenna was used to locate fish during other ground surveys (highway vehicle, ATV, and foot) that occurred on several tributary streams including Quartz, Ptarmigan, and Cooper creeks and the Russian and Snow rivers. Aerial tracking generally was conducted once each month during ice-free periods and bimonthly during the winter. Surveys were conducted from a Cessna 185 fixed-wing aircraft equipped with two H-antennas, one mounted on each wing strut. Aerial surveys were conducted at approximately 300–400 m above ground along the Kenai River including Skilak and Kenai lakes and tributary watersheds. The number of tracking surveys conducted at each location during the study period is summarized in Appendix 3.

Data Analysis Information collected with various tracking methods was integrated into one database that archived the dates and locations of each radio-tagged Dolly Varden. Locations were recorded as latitude and longitude coordinates and displayed on a geographic coverage of the Kenai River watershed using ArcView® software. The study period for each Dolly Varden was defined as the number of days between transmitter implantation and the date of final radio contact or last observed movement. A fish was considered dead or to have expelled the transmitter when the

4 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service transmitter was retrieved during a ground survey, or the transmitter signal did not move from a specific location during a period when radio-tagged fish were seasonally migrating between habitat types.

Distances between consecutive locations were used to describe movement of radio-tagged Dolly Varden. Distances in Skilak and Kenai lakes were calculated as the shortest distance (nearest 0.1 km) between two consecutive locations. River distances were calculated to the nearest 0.1 rkm. The home range of individual Dolly Varden was defined as the number of river kilometers between the furthest upstream and downstream location. Only fish that provided one year or more of tracking information were used for home range calculations.

Dolly Varden from Cooper Creek and South Fork of the Snow River with tracking histories that included two or more consecutive spawning periods were used to describe spawning periodicity. Radio-tagged fish in the Quartz Creek and Kenai River spawning aggregates were excluded from this analysis because it was difficult to distinguish between spawning and non-spawning fish in these waters.

Dolly Varden with tracking histories that included two or more consecutive overwintering periods were used to describe fidelity to overwintering habitats.

Results Fish Survival and Transmitter Performance A total of 219 Dolly Varden were radio-tagged during 1998 and 1999 (Appendix 2). Twenty- three (11%) of these fish disappeared, died, or expelled their transmitters during the first 30 days of tracking. Of the remaining fish, 170 (74%) survived the winter and provided movement data going into the following summer (June 1). About half (N=109) of the Dolly Varden provided movement information for one year or longer. The study period for 45 fish (21%) exceeded two years. Twelve (5%) fish with active transmitters were harvested by anglers during the study period.

Cooper Creek Spawning Aggregate Radio transmitters were implanted into 20 spawning Dolly Varden in Cooper Creek near the Stetson Creek confluence on September 24, 1998 (Appendix 2). Movement of Dolly Varden from spawning locations in Cooper Creek to overwintering locations began in early October (Figure 2). By November, the majority of fish had selected overwintering locations in Skilak (41%) or Kenai (41%) lakes. Three fish were found in the outlet area below Skilak Lake (rkm 78-80) during November, but moved into Skilak Lake by January. Dolly Varden remained in Skilak or Kenai lakes through April, then began moving downstream toward summer feeding areas in May. Most of the fish selected the Killey River as a feeding location during June (69%) and July (81%). Dolly Varden began moving out of the Killey River during late July and were found primarily in the mainstem Kenai River between Bing’s Landing and Skilak Lake during August (54%) and September (58%).

Two (16.7%) Dolly Varden with active transmitters returned to Cooper Creek during September 1999 to spawn for a second consecutive year (Table 1). Movement patterns after September 1999 were similar to those observed the previous year except that most fish (92%) selected Skilak Lake as an overwintering location. Eight Dolly Varden had active transmitters by September 2000, and three (37.5%) of these fish returned to spawn in Cooper Creek after

5 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

100 Kenai Lake 80

0 100

80 Upper Kenai River

0 100

80 Cooper Creek h s i 60 20 Transmitters implanted in spawning F 40 Dolly Varden on Sep 24

of 20

ge 0 a 100 Skilak Lake

ent 80

rc 60 e

P 40

0 100 Killey River 80

0 100

80 Kenai River below Skilak Lake

0 SOND JFMAMJ JASONDJFMAMJ JASO 1998 1999 2000

FIGURE 2.─Seasonal distribution of Dolly Varden that were radio-tagged in Cooper Creek during September 1998.

6 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

skipping the spawning season in 1999 (Table 1). The other five fish with active transmitters either skipped spawning in both 1999 and 2000 (N=3) or skipped a year after spawning in 1998 and 1999 (N=2).

Seasonal locations of Dolly Varden radio-tagged in Cooper Creek and other spawning locations are displayed in Appendices 4-8.

TABLE 1.─Frequency of spawning for Dolly Varden radio-tagged in Cooper Creek and the South Fork of the Snow River during 1998. Spawning Number of fish Number of Percent of aggregate Spawning year with active tags spawners fish spawning Consecutive Year Spawners Cooper Creek 1999 12 2 16.7 SF Snow River 1999 32 5 15.6 Total 1999 44 7 15.9 Skip Year Spawners Cooper Creek 2000 8a 337.5 SF Snow River 2000 12b 650.0 Total 2000 20 9 45.0 a Fish with active transmitters that did not spawn in 2000 either skipped spawning in both 1999 and 2000 (N=3) or skipped a year after spawning in 1998 and 1999 (N=2). b Fish with active transmitters that did not spawn in 2000 either skipped spawning in both 1999 and 2000 (N=5) or skipped a year after spawning in 1998 and 1999 (N=1). Quartz Creek Spawning Aggregate Radio transmitters were implanted into 60 spawning Dolly Varden in the Quartz Creek watershed during September 1998 (Appendix 2). Twenty-nine fish were captured in the upper reaches of Quartz Creek above Devils Creek and the remainder were captured in Devils (N=11) and Summit (N=20) creeks (Figure 1). Movement of Dolly Varden from spawning areas to overwintering locations began in early October (Figure 3). By November, the majority of fish had selected overwintering locations in Kenai (67%) or Skilak (22%) lakes. Two fish selected Tern Lake in the Quartz Creek watershed as an overwintering location. Dolly Varden remained in these lakes through May, and then began moving toward summer feeding areas in June. During July, most Dolly Varden were found at feeding areas in the upper Kenai River (42%), Quartz Creek (25%), and the Killey River (22%). Later in the summer, the majority of fish were located in Quartz Creek or the Kenai River above and below Skilak Lake. Nearly half (46%) of the Dolly Varden selected feeding areas between Bing’s Landing and Skilak Lake during September. About 20% of the fish with active transmitters were located in Quartz Creek watershed during September (N=5) and October (N=4), but it was not possible to determine if these fish were spawning or feeding.

Twenty-one Dolly Varden had active transmitters by October 1999. Unlike the previous winter where most of the Quartz Creek fish overwintered in Kenai Lake, the majority of fish (71%) selected Skilak Lake to spend the second winter. Feeding areas used during 2000 were similar to those observed during 1999 except that a larger percentage of fish used the Killey River during June (41%) and July (57%). About half of the fish with active transmitters were located near spawning and feeding areas in Quartz Creek during September and October 2000.

7 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

100

80 Quartz Creek

60 60 Transmitters implanted in spawning Dolly Varden from Sep 16-28 40

0 100

80 Kenai Lake

0 100

80 Upper Kenai River h s i 60 F 40

of 20

ge 0 a 100 Skilak Lake

ent 80

rc 60 e

P 40

0 100

80 Killey River

0 100

80 Kenai River below Skilak Lake

0 SOND JFMAMJ JASONDJFMAMJ JASO 1998 1999 2000

FIGURE 3.─Seasonal distribution of Dolly Varden that were radio-tagged in Quartz Creek during September 1998.

8 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

South Fork of the Snow River Spawning Aggregate Radio transmitters were implanted into 60 spawning Dolly Varden in the South Fork of the Snow River during October 1998 (Appendix 2). All fish were captured at a spawning area approximately 15 km upstream from Kenai Lake. Spawning occurred through late October and by mid-November most fish (89%) had moved to overwintering locations in Kenai Lake (Figure 4). Only two fish selected Skilak Lake as an overwintering area. Dolly Varden remained in Kenai and Skilak lakes through May 1999. Four fish moved into the Kenai River during June, however, the majority of fish (88%) remained in Kenai Lake. During July, about half of the fish moved to feeding areas in Quartz Creek (2%) and the Kenai River above (33%) and below (13%) Skilak Lake. The mainstem Kenai River above and below Skilak Lake continued to be the most important feeding areas for these fish during August and September.

Five (15.6%) Dolly Varden with active transmitters returned to the South Fork of the Snow River during October 1999 to spawn for a second consecutive year (Table 1). Movement patterns after October 1999 were similar to those observed the previous year except that a larger number of fish (27%) selected Skilak Lake as an overwintering location. Twelve Dolly Varden had active transmitters by October 2000, and six (50%) of these fish returned to spawn in the South Fork of the Snow River after skipping the spawning season in 1999 (Table 1). The other six fish with active transmitters either skipped spawning in both 1999 and 2000 (N=5) or skipped a year after spawning in 1998 and 1999 (N=1).

Upper Kenai River Spawning Aggregate Radio transmitters were implanted into 79 spawning Dolly Varden in the upper Kenai River during October 1999 (Appendix 2). All fish were captured and released between the outlet at Kenai Lake and Jim’s Landing (Figure 1). Most Dolly Varden moved from spawning locations in the upper Kenai River to overwintering locations during November (Figure 5). By December, all fish had selected overwintering locations in Skilak (83%) or Kenai (17%) lakes. Dolly Varden remained in these lakes through April, and then began moving toward summer feeding areas in May. The majority of fish were found at feeding areas in the Kenai River downstream of Skilak Lake during June (62%), July (68%), August (75%), and September (70%). Other feeding locations selected during the summer included the Killey River and upper Kenai River. Over half (54%) of the fish were located in the upper Kenai River during October 2000, while others had moved to overwintering locations in Skilak (32%) or Kenai (10%) lakes. Movement patterns observed from November 2000 through October 2001 were nearly identical to those observed the previous year.

Home Range Home ranges of radio-tagged Dolly Varden ranged from 18 to 165 km (Figure 6). Most Dolly Varden (83%) had home ranges between 51 and 150 km. Three Dolly Varden radio-tagged in the South Fork of the Snow River had a home range greater than 150 km. Two fish from the Quartz Creek spawning aggregate had a home range less than 25 km. One of these fish was tracked for over two years and remained within the Quartz Creek watershed for the entire period.

Upper Kenai River Dolly Varden generally had home ranges which extended lower in the watershed than tributary spawning aggregates. The majority of upper Kenai River fish (62.8%) spent some time during the summer and fall months below Bing’s Landing. Conversely, smaller numbers of Dolly Varden from Cooper (8.3%) and Quartz (9.1%) creeks and the South Fork of the Snow River (18.8%) utilized this section of river.

9 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

100 S Fork Snow River 80

60 60 Transmitters implanted in spawning 40 Dolly Varden from Oct 7-21

0 100 Quartz Creek 80

0 100 Kenai Lake 80 h s i 60 F 40

of 20

0 age 100 Upper Kenai River

ent 80

rc 60 e

P 40

0 100 Skilak Lake 80

0 100 Kenai River below Skilak Lake 80

0 ONDJFMAMJ JASONDJFMAMJ JASO 1998 1999 2000

FIGURE 4.─Seasonal distribution of Dolly Varden that were radio-tagged in South Fork of the Snow River during October 1998.

10 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

100 Kenai Lake 80

0 100 Upper Kenai River 80 79 Transmitters implanted in spawning 60 Dolly Varden from Oct 5-14

20 h

s 0 i 100 F Skilak Lake 80 of

ge 60 a 40 ent 20 rc

e 0 P 100 Killey River 80

0 100 Kenai River below Skilak Lake 80

0 ONDJFMAMJ JA SONDJFMAMJ JA SO 1999 2000 2001

FIGURE 5.─Seasonal distribution of Dolly Varden that were radio-tagged in the upper Kenai River during October 1999.

11 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

60 South Fork Snow River 13 13 40 Mean Home Range = 107 km N=32

20 3 1 2 0 60 Quartz Creek

40 Mean Home Range = 98 km 8 N=22

44 20 3 Fish Fish 2 1 of of 0 60 tage tage Cooper Creek 7 rcen rcen 40 Mean Home Range = 122 km e e N=12 4 P P

20 1

0 60 Upper Kenai River

40 Mean Home Range = 91 km 15 N=43 12

20 8 5 3 0 0-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 101-125 126-150 151-175 Distance (km)

FIGURE 6.─ Home range of radio-tagged Dolly Varden from each spawning aggregate expressed as the distance between the farthest upstream and downstream locations of individual fish in the Kenai River watershed. Only fish that were tracked for one year or longer are included. Sample size is indicated above each bar.

12 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Fidelity to Overwintering Habitats Dolly Varden from each of the spawning aggregates displayed a similar level of fidelity to lakes they selected for overwintering (Table 2). The number of Dolly Varden returning to the same overwintering lake ranged from 67% for Cooper Creek fish to 80% for upper Kenai River fish. Overall, about 76% of the Dolly Varden selected the same lake each year for overwintering.

TABLE 2.─Fidelity to overwintering lakes for Dolly Varden radio-tagged in Cooper and Quartz creeks, South Fork of the Snow River, and the upper Kenai River during 1998 and 1999. Number of fish Number of fish Spawning Number of returning to same selecting a different aggregate observations overwintering lake overwintering lake Cooper Creek 12 8 (67 %) 4 (33 %) Quartz Creek 17 13 (76 %) 4 (24 %) SF Snow River 28 21 (75 %) 7 (25 %) Upper Kenai River 35 28 (80 %) 7 (20 %) Total 92 70 (76 %) 22 (24 %)

Discussion When interpreting the results of this radiotelemetry study, we assumed that the behavior of radio- tagged Dolly Varden was similar to that of untagged Dolly Varden. Anglers that caught or harvested Dolly Varden with transmitters reported that these fish appeared in good condition. In most cases, the incision was completely healed and little or no abrasion resulted from the external antenna. Dolly Varden radio-tagged during this study were all adult spawners ranging from 375-611 mm fork length, therefore, results can only be applied to Dolly Varden in this size range.

Dolly Varden radio-tagged during this study were captured at spawning areas in Cooper and Quartz creeks, South Fork of the Snow River, and the upper Kenai River. Dolly Varden arrived at spawning locations in Cooper and Quartz creeks by mid to late September, but were not present in good numbers in the South Fork of the Snow River until mid-October. Glacial turbidity precluded observation of spawning Dolly Varden in the upper Kenai River, however fish captured during the first two weeks of October were in spawning condition. After spawning, all radio-tagged Dolly Varden migrated to a lake for overwintering. Movement to overwintering lakes occurred primarily during October and November. Kenai and Skilak lakes were selected as overwintering areas by all Dolly Varden except for two Quartz Creek fish which overwintered in Tern Lake. Migration to a lake for overwintering is characteristic behavior for the southern form of Dolly Varden which occur in lacustrine watersheds (Armstrong and Morrow 1980). The habit of overwintering in lakes may be advantageous because energy costs associated with activity would typically be less in habitats with little or no flow (Adams and Breck 1990). Lakes also provide the best refuge from severe conditions that can occur during winter months in northern systems (Northcote 1997).

Many Dolly Varden returned to the same lake for overwintering each year, however nearly a quarter of the fish used more than one lake for overwintering. Fidelity to overwintering lakes was lowest for Cooper Creek fish (33%) and highest for upper Kenai River fish (20%). The

13 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service choice of an overwintering lake appears to be influenced by the proximity of the lake to spawning and feeding areas. Large numbers of fish from the tributary spawning aggregates overwintered in Kenai Lake immediately after leaving the spawning grounds in 1998. Most of these fish were not repeat spawners in 1999 and some were found at feeding areas below Skilak Lake in late summer and early fall. The proximity of Skilak Lake to these feeding areas likely caused some fish to overwinter in Skilak Lake during the second winter.

Movement from overwintering lakes to summer feeding areas began in May, however, patterns of movement differed among the spawning aggregates. Most of the Cooper Creek Dolly Varden and some fish from the Quartz Creek and Kenai River spawning aggregates were located in the Killey River during June and July (Appendix 6). These Dolly Varden were likely attracted to the Killey River during the early summer because of abundant food supplies. Large numbers of chinook and coho salmon smolt emigrate from the Killey River during May and June (King and Breakfield 2002). The Killey River also provides spawning habitat for the majority of early-run Chinook salmon returning to the Kenai River watershed (Burger et al 1983). Early-run Chinook salmon enter the Killey River during late June and early July and spawn from mid to late July. Radio-tagged Dolly Varden were located throughout the Killey River during the early summer but tended to concentrate near the Benjamin Creek confluence in July. Lower Benjamin Creek is considered the most important spawning area for Chinook salmon in the Killey River watershed.

The migratory behavior of fish from the South Fork of the Snow River during early summer was quite different than that observed in other spawning aggregates. Rather than migrate to feeding areas in riverine habitats, most Snow River fish remained in Kenai Lake through June. This early summer behavior is more characteristic of the stream-lake resident form of Dolly Varden described by Armstrong and Morrow (1980). Although this form of Dolly Varden has received little study, these fish typically utilize lake habitats for feeding during the summer months. Food eaten by lake dwelling fish varies with habitat and availability but can include invertebrates, insects and fish. The food habits of Dolly Varden residing in Kenai Lake have not been studied, but their diet during early summer may include juvenile sockeye salmon which are abundant in the lake.

Most radio-tagged Dolly Varden were found in close proximity to spawning salmon during August and September. Spawn from thousands of salmon provide an important food resource to Dolly Varden during this time period. Although spawning salmon are found throughout the Kenai River and tributary watersheds, most Dolly Varden confined their movements to the Kenai River above the Moose River confluence. Exceptions to this distribution pattern were some Quartz Creek fish which favored Quartz Creek, and several fish from the upper Kenai River spawning aggregate that utilized feeding areas below the Moose River between June and September (Appendices 6 and 7). We are uncertain why lower reaches of the Kenai River attract so many of the upper Kenai River Dolly Varden during the summer months, but by October these fish return upstream to Skilak Lake or upper Kenai River locations.

Several radio-tagged Dolly Varden provided a year or more of location data which allowed us to examine frequency of spawning. We found that about 16% of the Dolly Varden in Cooper Creek and the South Fork of the Snow River spawned during consecutive years and about 45% of the fish spawned after skipping one year. Eight Dolly Varden did not spawn during 1999 or 2000 indicating that some fish from these spawning aggregates will skip at least two years between spawning. Consecutive and skip-year spawning has been documented for Dolly Varden stocks in southeast Alaska (Blackett 1968, Armstrong 1974), but this study may represent the only

14 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service documented occurrence where Dolly Varden have skipped more than one year between spawning.

Dolly Varden which occur in the upper Kenai River watershed should be considered southern form stocks (Armstrong and Morrow 1980). The southern form occurs as anadromous and nonanadromous stocks from the Aleutian Islands across the northwest coast of North America south to Puget Sound. Dolly Varden in the Kenai River clearly have an opportunity to migrate to sea, however, radio-tagged fish in this study confined their movements to the Kenai River watershed. This “potamodromous” strategy (Gresswell 1997) works well for Dolly Varden stocks in the Kenai River because critical habitats are readily accessible, food supplies are abundant, and there are few predators compared to a saltwater environment.

Management Considerations Knowledge of the migrations and specific habitat requirements (spawning, feeding, and overwintering areas) of Dolly Varden in the Kenai River watershed is essential for formulating and improving management strategies. Findings from this study indicate that Dolly Varden from spawning aggregates in the upper Kenai River watershed have complex movement patterns. They occupy several river and stream habitats in the drainage during the summer and fall months, but appear to overwinter almost exclusively in Kenai and Skilak lakes. Dolly Varden from all spawning aggregates are exposed to some extent to sport fisheries that occur at various locations throughout the Kenai River watershed. A separate report (King and Palmer In Preparation) describes the exposure of each spawning aggregate to sport fisheries in the Kenai River watershed and evaluates the adequacy of the existing strategies for managing these stocks.

Acknowledgements Special appreciation is extended to Charlie Weeks, Jerry Strait, Rob Massengill, Larry Larson, Ken Gates, Sean Stash, John Linderman, John Tobin and many others who assisted with field activities. There were a number of Kenai River fishing guides who assisted the crew during tagging, notably Andy Szczesny and Kurt Muse. Thanks to pilots Rick Johnston, Bill Larned, and Rick Ernst who assisted with aerial tracking surveys.

References Adams, S.M. and J.E. Breck. 1990. Bioenergetics. Pages 389-415 in C.B. Schreck and P.B. Moyle, editors. Methods for Fish Biology. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. Armstrong, R.H. 1974. Migration of anadromous Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) in southeastern Alaska. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 31:435-444. Armstrong, R.H. and J.E. Morrow. 1980. The Dolly Varden charr. Pages 99-140 in E.K. Balon, editor. Charrs: salmonids fishes of the genus Salvelinus. Dr. W. Junk, The Hague, The Netherlands. Blackett, R.F. 1968. Spawning behavior, fecundity and early life history of anadromous Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma (Walbaum) in southeastern Alaska. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Research Report Number 6, Juneau, Alaska. Bigelow, B.B., R.D. Lamke, P.J. Still, J.L. Van Maanen, and J.E. Vaill. 1985. Water resources data, Alaska, water year 1984. U.S. Geological Survey, Water Data Report AK-84-1, Anchorage.

15 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Burger, C.V., D.B. Wangaard, R.L. Wilmot, and A.N. Palmisano. 1983. Salmon investigations in the Kenai River, Alaska 1979-1981. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Fishery Research Center-Seattle, Alaska Field Station, Anchorage. Gamblin, M., L.E. Marsh, P. Berkhahn, and S. Sonnichsen. 2004. Area management report for the recreational fisheries of the Northern Kenai Peninsula, 2000–2001. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Management Report Number 04-04, Anchorage. Gresswell, R.E. 1997. Introduction to Ecology and Management of Potamodromous Salmonids. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 17:1027-1028. Howe, A.L., G. Fidler, and M.J. Mills. 1995. Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1994. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 95-24, Anchorage. Howe, A.L., G. Fidler, A.E. Bingham, and M.J. Mills. 1996. Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1995. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 96-32, Anchorage. Howe, A.L., R.J. Walker, C. Olnes, K. Sundet, and A.E. Bingham. 2001a. Revised Edition: Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1996. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 97-29 (revised), Anchorage. Howe, A.L., R.J. Walker, C. Olnes, K. Sundet, and A.E. Bingham. 2001b. Revised Edition: Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1997. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 98-25 (revised), Anchorage. Howe, A.L., R.J. Walker, C. Olnes, K. Sundet, and A.E. Bingham. 2001c. Revised Edition: Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1998. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 99-41 (revised), Anchorage. Howe, A.L., R.J. Walker, C. Olnes, K. Sundet, and A.E. Bingham. 2001d. Revised Edition: Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1999. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 01-8, Anchorage. Jennings, G. B., K. Sundet, A. E. Bingham, and D. Sigurdsson. 2004. Participation, catch, and harvest in Alaska sport fisheries during 2001. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 04-11, Anchorage. King, B.E. and J.A. Breakfield. 2002. Coded wire tagging studies in the Kenai River and Deep Creek, Alaska, 1998. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 02-03, Anchorage. King, B.E. and D.E. Palmer. In Preparation. Use of radio telemetry data to assess the adequacy of fisheries management strategies for several Kenai River Dolly Varden spawning aggregates. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number xx-xx, Anchorage. Mills, M.J. 1991. Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1990. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 91-58, Anchorage. Mills, M.J. 1992. Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1991. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 92-40, Anchorage. Mills, M.J. 1993. Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1992. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 93-42, Anchorage.

16 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Mills, M.J. 1994. Harvest, catch, and participation in Alaska sport fisheries during 1993. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series Number 94-28, Anchorage. Northcote, T.G. 1997. Potamodromy in salmonidae─living and moving in the fast lane. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 17:1029-1045. Summerfelt, R.C. and L.S. Smith. 1990. Anesthesia, surgery, and related techniques. Pages 213–272 in C.B. Schreck and P.B. Moyle, editors. Methods for Fish Biology. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. Walker R. J., C. Olnes, K. Sundet, A. L. Howe, and A. E. Bingham. 2003. Participation, catch, and harvest in Alaska sport fisheries during 2000. Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fishery Data Series No. 03-05, Anchorage. Winter, J.D. 1983. Underwater biotelemetry. Pages 371–395 in L.A. Nielsen and D.L. Johnson, editors. Fisheries Techniques. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.Agresti, A. 1990. Categorical Data Analysis. John Wiley & Sons. New York.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX 1.─Harvest and catch of Dolly Varden by section of the Kenai River as determined by the Department’s Statewide Harvest Survey, 1984-2001.

Harvest Catch Cook Inlet Soldotna Bridge Moose River Skilak Inlet Cook Inlet Soldotna Bridge Moose River Skilak Inlet to to to to to to to to Soldotna Bridge Moose River Skilak Outlet Kenai Lake Total Soldotna Bridge Moose River Skilak Outlet Kenai Lake Total Year Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number

1984 7,506 23.9 1,966 6.3 11,211 35.7 10,724 34.1 31,407 1985 7,560 28.8 3,277 12.5 8,930 34.0 6,468 24.7 26,235 1986 1,249 21.6 771 13.4 1,928 33.4 1,827 31.6 5,775 1987 2,429 31.8 1,671 21.9 2,139 28.0 1,391 18.2 7,630 1988 3,531 32.2 1,266 11.5 3,527 32.1 2,653 24.2 10,977 1989 3,414 33.9 1,371 13.6 3,649 36.3 1,630 16.2 10,064 1990 2,738 22.9 2,424 20.2 2,741 22.9 4,079 34.0 11,982 7,795 22.5 5,094 14.7 7,537 21.8 1 4,151 40.9 34,577 1991 4,211 29.0 3,285 22.6 4,268 29.4 2,740 18.9 14,504 10,665 15.5 8,116 11.8 19,363 28.2 3 0,601 44.5 68,745 1992 3,777 26.1 2,516 17.4 4,900 33.9 3,269 22.6 14,462 11,822 15.0 5,899 7.5 26,348 33.4 3 4,754 44.1 78,823 1993 4,599 36.2 1,539 12.1 3,503 27.6 3,057 24.1 12,698 13,019 17.1 6,079 8.0 20,778 27.2 36,451 47.8 76,327

18 1994 3,276 38.6 1,107 13.0 2,051 24.2 2,052 24.2 8,486 8,752 14.2 5,185 8.4 14,584 23.6 33,168 53.8 61,689 1995 4,069 42.7 1,732 18.2 2,113 22.2 1,609 16.9 9,523 10,146 18.4 5,399 9.8 12,447 22.6 27,103 49.2 55,095 1996 2,411 32.2 1,797 24.0 1,995 26.7 1,281 17.1 7,484 9,787 17.3 5,973 10.6 14,506 25.7 26,245 46.4 56,511 1997 2,518 36.2 1,042 15.0 2,824 40.6 573 8.2 6,957 9,955 11.0 5,268 5.8 22,266 24.5 53,317 58.7 90,806 1998 1,977 32.5 1,787 29.4 1,847 30.4 468 7.7 6,079 7,560 12.4 5,961 9.8 11,732 19.3 35,659 58.5 60,912 1999 3,867 51.1 1,086 14.3 1,932 25.5 683 9.0 7,568 14,752 20.2 6,316 8.7 20,053 27.5 31,826 43.6 72,947 2000 3,916 52.7 1,759 23.7 1,403 18.9 349 4.7 7,427 18,261 17.4 9,122 8.7 21,291 20.3 56,375 53.7 105,049 2001 3,763 57.6 1,613 24.7 789 12.1 363 5.6 6,528 16,304 15.1 8,367 7.8 28,312 26.3 54,802 50.8 107,785 Mean 3,710 35.0 1,780 17.4 3,430 28.5 2,510 19.0 11,430 11,570 16.3 6,400 9.3 18,270 25.0 36,200 49.3 72,440

From : Mills 1985-1994; Howe et al. 1995, 1996, 2001 a-d; Walker et al. 2003; Jennings et al. 2004.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX 2.─Tracking history summaries of Dolly Varden radio-tagged in the Kenai River watershed during 1998 and 1999. Number of Fork Implant Study observations Transmitter length locationa period during number (mm) Sex (river km) Study datesb (days) study periodc Cooper Creek Radio Transmitter Implants 0836 483 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 13-Dec-00 812 21 2138 528 M 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 20-Sep-99 362e 14 2238 456 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 16-Jan-01 846 35 2538 493 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 23-Jan-01 853 28 2638 490 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 31-Jul-00 677e 31 2738 525 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 14-Nov-00 783 29 8148 537 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 15-Jun-00 631e 32 8220 514 M 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 14-Aug-99 325f 18 8348 493 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 24-Jul-00 670e 33 8448 491 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 18-Oct-00 756 33 8848 484 M 5.1 24-Sep-98 0d 0 10130 490 M 5.1 24-Sep-98 0e 0 10320 565 M 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 9-Jun-99 259e 11 10930 472 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 14-Aug-00 691 28 11030 549 M 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 2-Aug-99 313f 4 11130 505 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 31-Oct-00 769 33 11330 502 M 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 19-Apr-01 939 32 13332 545 M 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 9-Aug-99 320e 5 14234 459 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 6-Nov-00 775 24 14420 546 F 5.1 24-Sep-98 – 13-Nov-98 51e 1 Quartz Creek RadioTransmitter Implants 0320 575 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 0e 0 0440 482 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 17-Oct-00 751 48 0540 457 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 17-Aug-99 324e 16 0740 429 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 2-Dec-99 443e 28 0840 480 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 11-Sep-00 715e 26 1136 442 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 6-Jul-00 648e 27 1240 538 M 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 23-Aug-99 342e 28 1720 378 M 20.4 22-Sep-98 – 4-Nov-98 44e 3 1736 414 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 19-Aug-99 338d 18 1840 466 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 5-Nov-98 51d 3 1936 590 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 17-Jun-99 263e 10 2142 510 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 29-Jul-99 305d 14 2242 431 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 17-Nov-98 51e 7 2338 526 M 20.4 22-Sep-98 – 1-Oct-98 10d 2 e 2342 492 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 23-Apr-99 208 10 -continued-

19 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX 2.─(Page 2 of 6). Number of Fork Implant Study observations Transmitter length locationa period during number (mm) Sex (river km) Study datesb (days) study periodc 2438 420 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 27-Jul-99 315e 7 2442 463 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 14-Aug-00 687 37 2820 395 M 20.9 22-Sep-98 – 14-Oct-98 23e 2 3038 527 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 20-Oct-98 35d 5 3538 462 F 13.8 25-Sep-98 – 7-Sep-99 348d 21 3542 420 M 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 10-Oct-00 756 33 3842 431 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 25-Sep-98 10e 1 3920 512 M 20.9 22-Sep-98 – 14-Oct-98 23e 4 3921 513 M 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 8-Oct-98 23e 1 4042 471 F 20.9 22-Sep-98 – 16-Aug-99 329e 8 4244 574 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 27-May-99 242d 9 4344 510 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 6-Oct-00 740 13 4444 404 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 25-Oct-00 759 37 4544 444 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 17-Oct-00 751 32 4644 480 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 14-Sep-99 352d 22 4744 438 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 4-Sep-99 352e 16 4820 405 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 24-Nov-98 58e 3 4920 505 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 30-Jun-99 276e 12 6146 496 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 28-Oct-99 31e 4 6246 560 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 25-Oct-99 393e 30 6346 542 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 22-Sep-99 360e 17 6446 486 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 15-Sep-99 353d 22 6546 425 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 0d 0 6646 455 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 22-Jan-01 848 38 6746 465 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 9-Nov-99 408e 29 6846 443 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 23-Apr-99 208e 8 8548 482 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 13-Jul-99 289e 8 8648 474 F 20.9 22-Sep-98 – 17-Aug-99 330d 13 9020 516 M 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 13-Oct-98 16e 4 9148 487 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 18-Sep-00 722 26 9248 517 F 13.8 25-Sep-98 – 26-Oct-98 32d 4 9348 481 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 27-Jun-00 639e 34 9448 450 F 12.1 28-Sep-98 – 16-Jan-01 842 48 10230 488 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 6-Nov-00 783 37 11530 415 F 13.8 25-Sep-98 – 23-Nov-99 425 17 11830 495 M 13.8 25-Sep-98 – 24-Aug-99 334d 21 11930 462 M 13.8 25-Sep-98 – 17-Oct-00 754 41 e 12020 550 M 13.8 25-Sep-98 0 0 -continued-

20 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX 2.─(Page 3 of 6). Number of Fork Implant Study observations Transmitter length locationa period during number (mm) Sex (river km) Study datesb (days) study periodc 12232 465 M 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 28-Jun-00 652 24 13832 435 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 14-Oct-98 29e 4 14020 420 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 18-Jun-99 276e 9 14734 502 M 20.4 22-Sep-98 – 14-Nov-00 785 37 15534 475 F 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 6-Nov-00 783 37 15734 460 F 20.9 22-Sep-98 – 18-Oct-00 758 30 16034 518 M 20.9 16-Sep-98 – 12-Aug-99 331e 19 Snow River RadioTransmitter Implants 0136 550 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 31-Oct-00 742 38 0236 607 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 31-Aug-00 681e 41 0336 534 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 26-Jun-00 615 36 0436 500 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 24-Aug-99 308d 16 0536 533 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 8-Aug-00 658 31 0636 515 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 30-Oct-98 10e 1 0736 532 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 11-Oct-00 722 31 0920 457 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 0e 0 0940 555 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 28-Aug-00 678e 38 1040 475 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 0d 0 1140 520 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 18-Jul-99 279e 13 1340 519 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 2-Nov-00 744 42 1440 525 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 7-Nov-00 749 46 1540 530 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 2-Sep-99 317d 19 2542 595 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 5-Sep-00 686e 40 2642 555 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 26-Aug-99 310d 13 2742 588 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 28-Aug-00 678e 33 2842 542 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 28-Jul-99 281e 6 2938 537 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 10-Dec-99 416 26 2942 505 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 27-Apr-01 920 45 3042 551 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 23-Apr-99 185e 6 3138 538 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 2-Oct-99 347d 20 3238 530 M 15.1 7-Oct-98 – 9-Nov-98 34e 4 3338 555 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 26-Aug-99 310d 17 5044 535 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 9-Apr-01 902 38 5244 479 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 22-Dec-98 63e 3 5344 517 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 12-Jul-99 265d 7 5444 534 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 18-Jun-99 241e 9 5644 528 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 16-Jan-01 819 43 5744 455 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 11-Oct-00 722 40 -continued-

21 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX 2.─(Page 4 of 6). Number of Fork Implant Study observations Transmitter length locationa period during number (mm) Sex (river km) Study datesb (days) study periodc 6946 520 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 13-Dec-00 785 45 7046 549 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 14-Sep-99 329e 19 7146 528 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 5-Nov-99 381 18 7246 512 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 9-Nov-99 385e 24 7320 500 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 0 7420 587 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 22-Jul-99 290f 15 9548 523 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 13-Dec-00 785 37 9720 520 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 4-Aug-99 288f 18 9848 504 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 13-Dec-00 785 44 9948 589 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 18-Oct-00 729e 42 10430 577 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 9-Nov-99 385e 19 10530 436 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 25-Aug-99 309d 16 10630 471 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 22-Dec-98 63d 5 10730 551 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 29-Nov-99 405e 21 10820 611 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 14-Aug-99 298f 19 12132 492 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 10-Oct-00 721 40 12332 609 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 22-Dec-98 63d 3 12432 473 F 15.1 7-Oct-98 – 6-Jun-00 609e 13 12532 538 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 6-Jul-00 625e 39 12632 447 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 6-Oct-00 717 34 12732 542 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 17-Oct-00 728e 43 12820 512 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 0e 0 12932 510 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 16-Nov-99 392e 22 14134 534 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 21-Sep-99 336d 19 14334 505 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 18-Sep-00 699 31 14534 460 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 10-Sep-99 325d 19 14634 508 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 14-Sep-99 329d 19 14834 559 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 31-Aug-00 681 35 14934 458 M 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 18-Sep-00 699 43 15034 520 F 15.1 21-Oct-98 – 24-Nov-98 35d 2 Mainstem Kenai River RadioTransmitter Implants 0140 514 M 127.6 12-Oct-99 – 19-Sep-01 709 33 0240 530 F 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 19-Jul-00 280f 11 0340 445 F 115.8 5-Oct-99 – 26-Oct-01 753 17 0640 556 F 128.6 14-Oct-99 – 28-Aug-00 320e 18 0936 513 M 112.5 5-Oct-99 – 29-Nov-01 787 47 1036 596 M 124.2 12-Oct-99 – 23-Nov-99 43d 7 1236 565 F 118.4 5-Oct-99 – 5-Apr-01 549 30 -continued-

22 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX 2.─(Page 5 of 6). Number of Fork Implant Study observations Transmitter length locationa period during number (mm) Sex (river km) Study datesb (days) study periodc 1336 538 F 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 26-Sep-00 355e 25 1436 601 M 130.2 14-Oct-99 – 19-Sep-01 707 39 1536 575 F 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 29-Nov-01 784 42 1636 559 F 128.6 14-Oct-99 – 31-Jul-00 292d 12 1640 524 F 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 5-Nov-01 760 32 1740 466 M 126.8 12-Oct-99 – 17-Oct-00 372 19 1836 565 F 130.2 14-Oct-99 – 21-Nov-01 770 45 1940 514 F 117.0 5 Oct 99 – 11-Oct-00 373e 19 2036 551 F 115.2 8 Oct 99 – 23-Oct-01 747 38 2040 543 F 115.2 6 Oct 99 – 24-Oct-01 750 48 2838 449 F 130.2 12-Oct-99 – 14-Aug-01 673 31 3142 498 F 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 9-Jul-01 635e 28 3242 475 F 123.2 12-Oct-99 – 28-Oct-99 17e 3 3342 530 F 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 9-Jul-00 276f 9 3438 472 F 126.8 12-Oct-99 – 31-Jul-00 294d 13 3442 484 F 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 17-Jul-01 649f 20 3638 475 F 115.8 5 Oct 99 – 31-Oct-00 393e 23 3642 529 F 130.2 12-Oct-99 – 16-Jan-01 463 27 3738 484 F 118.4 6 Oct 99 – 19-Jun-00 258e 2 3742 545 F 118.4 5 Oct 99 – 2-Oct-01 729 32 3838 466 M 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 28-Aug-00 328d 15 3938 480 M 126.8 12-Oct-99 – 14-Oct-99 3e 1 3942 535 F 115.8 5 Oct 99 – 11-Sep-01 708 33 4038 536 F 128.6 14-Oct-99 – 5-Oct-01 723 24 4144 464 F 130.2 14-Oct-99 – 6-Jul-01 632 13 4844 545 F 112.5 6 Oct 99 – 28-Aug-00 328e 15 4944 535 M 130.2 14-Oct-99 – 13-Dec-99 61d 6 5144 525 F 115.8 5 Oct 99 – 3-Sep-00 335f 22 5544 547 M 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 5-Sep-00 334d 5 5844 467 M 130.2 12-Oct-99 – 10-Dec-99 60e 3 5944 470 F 117.0 6 Oct 99 – 23-Oct-01 749e 32 6044 441 F 130.2 13-Oct-99 – 10-Aug-00 303d 11 7346 523 F 115.8 5 Oct 99 – 3-Nov-99 30e 3 7446 602 M 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 13-Dec-00 427 30 7546 556 M 130.2 12-Oct-99 – 10-Dec-99 60e 7 7646 565 F 118.4 5 Oct 99 – 2-Nov-99 29e 3 7746 570 M 118.4 6 Oct 99 – 6-Nov-01 763 29 7846 505 F 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 13-Nov-01 762 44 e 7946 467 M 127.6 12-Oct-99 – 5-Apr-01 542 38 -continued-

23 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX 2.─(Page 6 of 6). Number of Fork Implant Study observations Transmitter length locationa period during number (mm) Sex (river km) Study datesb (days) study periodc 8046 510 F 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 6-Nov-01 761 38 8248 375 M 128.6 13-Oct-99 – 7-Aug-00 300d 13 8748 565 M 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 15-Nov-99 33e 4 8948 504 F 117.0 6 Oct 99 – 30-May-01 603e 29 9048 470 M 130.2 13-Oct-99 – 25-Jul-01 652f 35 9648 505 F 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 14-Nov-00 398e 20 9748 402 F 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 3-May-00 209e 10 10048 518 F 115.8 5 Oct 99 – 21-Nov-01 779 43 10330 519 F 115.2 6 Oct 99 – 29-Nov-99 55e 5 10830 481 M 128.6 14-Oct-99 – 11-Sep-00 334d 15 11230 471 F 127.6 12-Oct-99 – 5-Sep-00 330d 18 11430 530 M 115.8 5 Oct 99 – 15-Jul-01 650f 40 11630 485 M 118.4 8 Oct 99 – 28-Aug-00 326e 21 11730 579 M 128.6 14-Oct-99 – 28-Oct-99 15e 2 12030 546 F 115.0 5 Oct 99 – 9-Nov-99 36e 5 12832 523 M 117.0 5 Oct 99 – 9-Oct-01 736e 32 13032 532 M 130.2 12-Oct-99 – 19-Oct-01 739 39 13132 496 M 118.4 5 Oct 99 – 10-Aug-00 311e 21 13232 522 M 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 13-Nov-01 762 36 13432 466 F 130.2 13-Oct-99 – 14-Nov-00 399e 27 13532 474 F 115.2 6 Oct 99 – 10-Oct-00 371 13 13632 549 F 117.0 8 Oct 99 – 15-May-01 586e 17 13732 490 M 128.6 14-Oct-99 – 18-Sep-01 706 40 13932 553 F 112.5 8 Oct 99 – 14-Oct-99 7e 1 14032 526 F 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 6-Nov-00 390 22 14434 485 F 112.5 5 Oct 99 – 7-Aug-00 308d 14 15134 560 M 128.6 12-Oct-99 – 25-Jul-00 288f 9 15234 405 M 117.0 6 Oct 99 – 23-Aug-01 688 24 15334 428 M 127.6 14-Oct-99 – 5-Jul-00 266d 15 15434 530 F 127.6 12-Oct-99 – 21-Nov-01 772 43 15634 475 F 117.0 5 Oct 99 – 14-Nov-00 407 30 15834 436 F 128.6 14-Oct-99 – 7-Aug-00 299d 16 e 15934 481 F 115.2 8 Oct 99 – 23-Nov-99 47 5 a Distance from mouth of river or stream. b From implantation of transmitter to final radio contact or last observed movement. c Includes observations from ground and aerial tracking. d Fish disappeared from the study area during first 365d of transmitter operation. e Fish died or expelled transmitter. f Fish harvested by angler.

24 Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

APPENDIX 3.─The number of telemetry tracking surveys conducted at various locations in the Kenai River watershed from October 1998 through December 2001. Upper Middle Lower Time Kenai Skilak Kenai Kenai Kenai Tributary Period Aeriala Lake Lake Riverb Riverc Riverd streamse Oct - Dec 98 1 8 6 5 5 0 10 Jan - Mar 99 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Apr - Jun 99 4 6 4 4 3 1 4 Jul - Sep 99 3 9 7 16 13 10 22 Oct - Dec 99 1 6 6 9 3 1 6 Jan - Mar 00 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 Apr - Jun 00 4 6 7 5 7 4 3 Jul - Sep 00 1 2 7 12 12 12 19 Oct - Dec 00 1 4 5 9 3 4 8 Jan - Mar 01 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 Apr - Jun 01 1 3 5 11 4 2 11 Jul - Sep 01 0 1 3 13 7 6 14 Oct - Dec 01 1 4 6 10 2 2 8 Total 46 77 80 150 109 75 136 a Includes the Kenai River, Skilak, and Kenai lakes and tributary streams. b Kenai River between Skilak and Kenai lakes. c Kenai River between Naptowne Rapids and Skilak Lake. d Kenai River below Naptowne Rapids e Includes ground-based surveys on Quartz, Summit, Daves and Cooper creeks and the Russian, Killey and South Fork Snow rivers.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cooper Creek Spawning Aggregate S Fork Snow River Spawning Aggregate

## Cook # Cook # # # ## # Inlet # # Inlet # # # # # # # # # # ## # # ############ # # # # # ### ## ######### # #### # # ## # # # # # # #### # ###### # ## # ## # # # # # ########### ### # ## # # #### ### # ###### # ### # ####### ## ####

Cooper S Fork Creek Snow River

Quartz Creek Spawning Aggregate Upper Kenai River Spawning Aggregate

Quartz Creek ##

# # ####### Cook ###### Cook ## # # # # # Inlet # ## Inlet #### # # # #### # ## # # # ###### # ## # # # # # ## # # # # ### # # ### # # ## # # # ### # # # # # # # ### ## # #### ## # ## ## ## # # ####### ## # # ## # # # # # # ###### # # ## ## # # ###

APPENDIX 4.─Distribution of radio-tagged Dolly Varden during the winter months (December through April). Locations displayed include observations recorded during all winter months from December 1998 through December 2001.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cooper Creek Spawning Aggregate S Fork Snow River Spawning Aggregate

# ####### Cook # Cook # ## # # # # # # # # # Inlet ## # Inlet # # ## ###### # # ## # # ## # ### ## # ## ###### # # # # # # #### ## ## # # # ##### ##### # # # # # # ### # # # ## # ###

Cooper S Fork Creek Snow River

Quartz Creek Spawning Aggregate Upper Kenai River Spawning Aggregate

Quartz Creek

# # # # # #### Cook # Cook # # # # # ## # ## # ## #### # # Inlet # ## Inlet ######### # #### # ######### # ## # # #### ##### # #### # ## ## ##### ## # # # # # ## ## # ## ## # # # # ## # ### # #### ## ##

APPENDIX 5.─ Distribution of radio-tagged Dolly Varden during May. Locations displayed include observations recorded in May during 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cooper Creek Spawning Aggregate S Fork Snow River Spawning Aggregate

# # # # ################## Cook # Cook # ##### # ####### # # # ## ## #### ### ### # # # #### # # # # ## ## # ### # ########### # #### Inlet # Inlet # ## ###### # # # # # # ### ## # # # # # ## ### # # ## ######## ########## # # # #### ############## # # ## # # # ## # ## # ## ## # ## # #

# ### ############# Cooper ######### S Fork Creek Snow River

28 Quartz Creek Spawning Aggregate Upper Kenai River Spawning Aggregate

Quartz Creek

#### # # # # # #### # # ## # # ## ## # ## # # Cook # # Cook # # # ### ## # ### ##### # ## # # # # ######## ## # # ### ## ## ## # # ### ### ## ### ## # # ## # ## # # # ## # ## # # ## ###### ####### Inlet # # Inlet # # ## ############### # ## # # # #### # # # #### # # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # ### ## # # # # # # # ## ## # ### # ##

# ## # # ## ####### #

APPENDIX 6.─ Distribution of radio-tagged Dolly Varden during June and July. Locations displayed include observations recorded in June and July during 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cooper Creek Spawning Aggregate S Fork Snow River Spawning Aggregate

# ## ####### Cook # ### # ## Cook # # # ## ## # # ####### ## # # # ######## # ## ## # ### # ### # # ## # #### ## # ## # # # ## # ############ ############# # # ##### ########### Inlet ### ## Inlet ######## # # ## ########### ######## # # # # ### # # # ## #### ## # # ## # ### # # # ## # ####### # # ## ## # # ## ### #

# # Cooper S Fork Creek Snow River

29 Quartz Creek Spawning Aggregate Upper Kenai River Spawning Aggregate

Quartz ######## # Creek ### # ################### ### ### ### ## # # # # # ## # # ## ## # # # ## # ## ### ### #### Cook # ##### # ## Cook ### ##### ### ####### # # # # # ### ### # # ###### # ## ############ ### ###### # ## ### ### # ## # ####### # #### ######### ## # # ### # # ##### ###### ##### ## ######### Inlet ############# Inlet # # ## ### ## #### # ####### ## # # # ## # ## #

APPENDIX 7.─ Distribution of radio-tagged Dolly Varden during August and September. Locations displayed include observations recorded in August and September during 1999, 2000, and 2001.

Alaska Fisheries Technical Report Number 86, June 2005 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Cooper Creek Spawning Aggregate S Fork Snow River Spawning Aggregate

###### # # Cook # ## ### # Cook # # ## ## ## # # # # ### # # # ## # # # # # # ## # # # # ## # Inlet # # # # Inlet # # ### ## # #### # ## # # # # #### # ## # # # ## # # # # ## ### # # ######### # ## # # # ## ## ######### # # # ### # ### ############ ### # ### # # ## # ## ## #### # ##### # # ## ## ### ## ######## ## #### # # ## # Cooper ########################################## S Fork # Creek Snow River

30 Quartz Creek Spawning Aggregate Upper Kenai River Spawning Aggregate

Quartz # # Creek

## ## #### # # # ## # ############# Cook ######## # # Cook # ##################### # #### # ########################################### # # # # # #### # # # ## # ### ## # # # # ## # # # # Inlet ## # ## # Inlet # # # # # # # # # ## ## # ## ## # # ## ###### # # # # # ## ## # # # # # # # ## ###### # # # # # # ### # # ### ## ## #### # # #### ### # # # # ## #### # # # # # ### ## #### ####### ######## ### # #### # ## # ## #

APPENDIX 8.─ Distribution of radio-tagged Dolly Varden during October and November. Locations displayed include observations recorded in October and November during 1999, 2000, and 2001.